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Manmohan’s ex-advisor, scribe Baru joins FICCI
NEW DELHI: Sanjaya Baru, former official spokesman and media advisor to the former prime minister Manmohan Singh, will take over as the secretary-general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) from 1 September 2017.
This follows the completion of the five-year term of Dr A Didar Singh who had joined FICCI after his retirement as secretary in the government.
A former journalist, Baru – who was attached to PMO from 2004 to 2008 – is a political commentator and policy analyst, currently serving as director for geo-economics and strategy at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in Singapore.
FICCI president Pankaj Patel said: “Dr Singh, nearing completion of five years as the secretary-general of FICCI, has been for some time been looking for a relatively lighter role within the organisation and in view of this, the FICCI Committee has decided to appoint Baru.”
FICCI has completed 90 years of its glorious existence growing from strength to strength. With Dr. Singh’s personal efforts, FICCI has shaped up extremely well during the last five years and has been extremely resilient in dealing with domestic and global challenges as well as supporting Indian industry in capitalizing on new emerging opportunities,” Patel added.
Patel said Dr. Singh would now be holding the position of the principal advisor to FICCI president from 1 September.
Earlier, he had served as associate editor at The Economic Times and The Times of India, and then as the chief editor of Business Standard. His father B P R Vithal served as the finance and planning secretary during Manmohan Singh’s stint as the secretary of finance in the early nineties.
In April 2014, his memoir The Accidental Prime Minister, about his time at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) alleged that the prime minister was completely subservient to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who wielded significant influence in the running of the Singh administration, including the PMO itself. The book had sparked off a controversy, with the PMO officially denouncing it as “fiction”. Baru, however, has said he set out to show an empathetic portrait of the prime minister.
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Ritz Media World appoints Neeti Bhargava as chief content and client solutions officer
Seasoned radio leader to steer content and client strategy in AI era
NEW DELHI: Ritz Media World has appointed Neeti Bhargava as chief content and client solutions officer, strengthening its leadership team as brands ramp up investment in content-led, multi-platform engagement.
With more than 18 years in radio, media and content creation, Bhargava brings a storyteller’s instinct and a strategist’s eye to the role. Her career spans leading radio networks such as Red FM 93.5, Reliance Big FM 92.7 and My FM of the Dainik Bhaskar Group, where she shaped on-air formats, refined programming strategy and curated music and listener engagement initiatives that resonated beyond the airwaves.
Over time, her remit expanded from studio consoles to brand consoles. She has led voice-driven campaigns, crafted branded content, developed digital formats and delivered live experiences, blending creativity with commercial clarity. Her experience across content production, marketing strategy and creative leadership has given her a keen understanding of how audiences interact with brands across platforms.
In her new role as chief content and client solutions officer, Bhargava will oversee the agency’s content strategy and work closely with clients to design integrated campaigns spanning audio, digital and on-ground platforms. She will also guide internal teams to ensure consistency, quality and clarity in brand communication.
Ritz Media World founder Ritz Malik, said Bhargava’s cross-platform expertise comes at a pivotal moment for the industry. As marketing becomes increasingly data-informed and supported by AI tools, he noted, the need for authentic and well-crafted storytelling has only intensified. Her leadership, he said, will help the agency deliver campaigns that are both creatively strong and strategically sound.
Bhargava said today’s content landscape is shaped by evolving consumption patterns and technology-led media planning. While AI enhances efficiency and insight, she emphasised that compelling storytelling remains central to meaningful brand engagement. She added that she is excited to contribute to building integrated content that connects with audiences across formats.
The appointment reflects Ritz Media World’s focus on sharpening its content capabilities as brands seek smarter, data-backed ways to stay relevant in an increasingly crowded media marketplace.
